Nathan Jefferies with Lindsay Jefferies Memorial Champion Junior Angler Maverick Denereaz and his little sister April Venezia.
Visiting angler Maverick Denereaz and Deni’s own Noah Dunn were the luckiest of the junior anglers taking part in this year’s Edward Kolety Fishing Challenge.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Maverick, who came to Deni with his family from Lancefield, claimed the inaugural Lindsay Jefferies Memorial Trophy for Champion Junior Angler and associated prizes.
Noah, meanwhile, had his name drawn from the lucky entry barrel with win more than $1600 in prizes.
Maverick claimed his prize after landing the biggest native fish of any junior entrant across the Saturday and Sunday fishing times.
He landed a 84cm Murray cod to take the win.
It was one of two catches for the 12 year-old, who landed another just over 40cm.
In addition to an individual trophy, his name will be added to the perpetual Lindsay Jefferies Memorial Shield.
It will remain on display at Deniliquin Outdoor & Camping from now on.
Maverick’s name being included on the perpetual trophy means he joined his stepfather Matt Venezia in the local fishing history books.
Matt was the Champion Angler of the last in-person Deniliquin RSL Fishing Classic in 2019.
He won the honour with a total length of 293.5m from five native fish caught throughout that February weekend.
The Deniliquin RSL Fishing Club hosted virtual fishing events during the COVID-19 pandemic before the club folded.
Maverick was presented with his trophy by Lindsay’s son, Nathan Jefferies.
Noah Dunn was the winner of the junior lucky entry, claiming $1600 in prizes.
The trophy was instigated by the Edward River Fishing & Camping Group with support of Fishing Challenge organisers to honour Lindsay, who passed in 2022.
It specifically paid tribute to his work in promoting fishing to the younger generations and the community on the whole as a founding member of the Deniliquin Fishing Club.
When that group, later called the Deniliquin RSL Fishing Club, folded, the Edward River Fishing & Camping Group was formed to continue the efforts of the club.
Club president John Creenaune said it seemed fitting to attach his name to the junior fishing award due to the fulfilment he got from teaching his own grandchildren and other children the joys of fishing.
The trophy will now become an annual prize at the competition.
His second big win at the Fishing Challenge in as many years, Noah claimed a literal table load of Kings Outdoor products when his name was drawn in the junior lucky entry prize draw on Sunday.
The winner of the junior kayak last year, Noah also took part on the weekend with his family - dad Troy, mum Lizzie and younger brother Hunter.
22°C